Fishing float device

ABSTRACT

A self-adjusting float device slidably attached to a fishing line to maintain the hook end of the line at a predetermined position with respect to the bed of a body of water. The float comprises a guide member and a body member interconnected for relative movement with the line extending between the members. The said guide and body members are brought together by clamping means to fix the line therebetween when tension in the line is reduced and are separated to release the line when tension in the line is increased as a result of a tractive force applied to the line.

I United States Patent [191 [111 3,800,461

Jacobi Apr. 2, 1974 [54] FISHING FLOAT DEVICE 3,443,336 5/1969 Reese43/44.88

[75] Inventor: Jacob Jacobi, Noorden, Netherlands FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 73 Assignee; Sy| Mal-k Enterprises, Northridge, 101,0954/1962 Netherlands 43/44.87 Calif. 162,146 1/1949 Austria 43/4492 Filed:1971 Primary ExaminerLouis G. Mancene [21] Appl 208,827 AssistantExaminer-Daniel J. Leach Attorney, Agent, or FirmLyon & Lyon [30]Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Dec. 16, 1970Netherlands 7018350 A self adjusting float de ce slidably attached to afish- 52 us. Cl. 43 44.88 43 44.92 mg end the a i Int Cl Ablk/93/00determined position with respect to the bed of a body [58] Field 92 4495 of water. The float comprises a guide member and a 1 4 body memberinterconnected for relative movement with the line extending between themembers. The [56] References Cited said guide and body members arebrought together by clamping means to fix the line therebetween whenten- UNITED STATES PATENTS sion in the line is reduced and are separatedto release 2,481,346 9/1949 RLgb'y 43/44.87 the line when tension in theline is increased a a reg sult of a tractive force applied to the line.ower 2,153,869 4/1939 Jones 43/44.88 10 Claims, 2 Drawing FiguresFISHING FLOAT DEVICE This invention relates to a float device forfishing and more particularly relates to a float device whichautomatically adjusts the position of the hook in the water.

When making preparations for angling a fisherman attaches a conventionalfloat at a predetermined distance from the hook to thereby place thehook at a predetermined position in the water with respect to the waterbed or bottom. Typically, this distance is determined by means of aplummet which is either attached to the end of the fishing line or tothe hook. The plummet is allowed to sink until it hits the bottom andthe line goes slack, thereby indicating the distance from the bottom tothe surface of the water at that location. This measuring or soundingusually must be carried out several times in order to preclude a mistakebecause of a locally raised or lowered spot of the bed.

After the approximate distance is determined, the plummet is removed andthe float or a stopper for the float is fixed at the proper place on thefishing line. It is necessary to repeat this sounding procedure everytime a new location is selected for fishing.

Self-adjusting float devices adapted to avoid the need for sounding havein the past proved to be less than satisfactory. A common disadvantageassociated with such float devices relates to the problem of properlysecuring the fishing line to the float once the hook is in the desiredposition with respect to the bottom. Another problem associated withsuch devices involves the slippage of the line when the float is on thesurface of the water because the components of the device holding theline are moved apart by the action of the water. This is particularlythe case where the water is rough or choppy.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide afishing float device which renders sounding unnecessary by automaticallyadjusting the position of the hook in the water with respect to thewater bed.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a fishing floatdevice which adequately grips the fishing line once the desired positionof the hook has been located and which releases the line when desired toavoid interference with thefishing or subsequent adjustment of the hooklocation in the water.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a fishing floatdevice which when floating on the surface of the water is relativelyunaffected by the motion of the water with regard to the desiredgripping of the fishing'line.

In accordance with these and other objects, the present inventioncontemplates a float device which is capable of releasing or holding thefishing'line, whichever is desired, depending on whether'a tractiveforce or pull is exerted on the fishing line. The float device includesa buoyant body and means for connecting the float device with a fishingline. A movable member movable with respect to the body member serves tosecure the fishing line in a fixed position after the hook has reached adesired position in the water. The movable member is also movable torelease the fishing line with respect to the device to permit movementof the line therethrough.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a float device forfishing which can be adjusted to float at various positions with respectto the water surface and which is suitable for use with various sizes offishing lines.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention will be madereadily apparent from the following detailed description and theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is a cross-sectional side view of a float device embodying thefeatures of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partly broken away and in section,illustrating a modified form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings and specifically to FIG. 1, it isnotedthat the float device consists of a hollow body 1 closed at theupper end by a cap 2 which has extending therefrom a so-called antenna3. A resilient annular ring 4 fits concentrically about the body 1 andcap 2 at the juncture thereof to provide a seal therebetween. The cap 2is provided with a side opening 5 for communicationof watertherethrough. The body 1, cap 2 and antenna 3 are constructed ofmaterials which form a generally buoyant structure.

A second body member 6 confined within the inter ior of the hollow body1 is movable within the hollow body and guided by the interior sidewallsthereof. The body member 6 has a floating capacity or is buoyant withrespect to the water and moves between an upper stop 7 in the interiorof the hollow body and a lower stop 8 in the hollow body. Preferably,the upper stop 7 is formed by the end rim of the cap 2. Positionedbetween the stops 7 and 8 and extending through the side wall of thehollow body are a pair of openings or holes 9 positioned apart andtherefore only one opening is seen in FIG. 1. The hole 9 not shown ishowever located closer to the stop 8. Under the lower stop 8 is anotherside opening 10 for communication of water into the interior of thehollow body. The lower solid end of the body 1 is provided with atransverse bore 12 extending thereacross. If desired the lower end ofthe hollow body 1 may be provided with lead balls or other weights toweight the float device.

The fishing line is attached to the float by leading it through theupper hole 9 and then across the interior of the hollow body l out thelower hole 9 and then through the bore 12 at the end of the body 1. Whenthe line is cast the float which is frictionally secured to the line, ispulled underwater due to the weight of the fishing hook (not shown) atthe end of the line and the sinker (not shown) connected with thefishing line near the hook. Initially, the body member 6 which is guidedby the interior side walls of the body 1 in its movement between thestops 7 and 8 is forced against the upper stop 7. However, aside fromthe frictional forces, the float device is free to move along thefishing line toward the water surface and does so move because of itsbuoyant nature. At the same time the'hook continues sinking toward thebottom due to the tractive force of the sinker.

When the floateventually reaches the water surface, the water above thestop 8 runs out from the hollow body 1 through the opening 10. Thiscauses the body member 6 to drop toward the stop 8 against'the fishingline extending across the interior of the body 1 between the body member6 and the stop 8. Once the hook and the sinker have reached the bottomthe tractive force or pull on the line between the hook and the floatwill have become sufficiently diminished to permit the body member 6 toclamp down on the line and hold it against the stop 8. If it isdesirable to lift the hook upwardly from the bottom or bed, thefisherman pulls on the line which lifts the body member 6 away from thestop 8 and permits fishing line to pass. When the fisherman releases thefishing line, the body member 6 moves toward the stop 8 and therebyclamps the fishing line with respect to the float device. Even thoughthe hook and sinker do not lie on the bottom in this instance and thusexert a tractive force on the line this force will generally beinsufficient to dislodge the body member 6 from its clamping positionsince there is no inertia coupled with the hook and sinker as there wasduring the initial cast. However, in certain instances it may bedesirable to provide a greater clamping force. When the greater force isdesired, as for example when a heavier fishing line is employed, thelower end of the body member 6 is provided with a magnet 13 such as thatshown in FIG. 1 and the stop 8 is similarly equipped with a magnet orotherwise comprises means for attracting the magnet 13. The position ofthe float with respect to the water surface can be adjusted by adding orwithdrawing weight from the lower part of the hollow body. However, thisadjustment is limited by the position of the opening which should in allinstances remain above the surface of the water.

The float of FIG. 2 includes an oblong or elongated cylindrical guidemember 20, the upper end of which constitutes the so-called antenna 21.Spaced apart and positioned concentrically about the guide member are apair of stops 22 and 23 with a movable body member 24 locatedtherebetween and also concentrically mounted on the guide member 20. Theunderside of the body member 24 is open and the upper end of the bodymember is provided with an opening 25 adapted to receive therein a tube26. The upper end of the tube 27 is adapted to function with the lowerpart of the stop 22 in such a way that air trapped in the movable bodymember cannot escape when the float is plunged into water. The lowerstop also comprises a hollow body member which can contain lead balls 29or other means for weighting the float device. This lower body member orstop 23 has a floating capacity or is buoyant. The body member 23 isalso provided with a slot 30 and together with the connecting means,generally designated 31, at the lower end of the guide member 20, servesto connect the fishing line with the float device.

The float device is attached to the fishing line 32 by stringingthe-fishing line through the connecting means 31 and placing it in theslot 30. The upper surface of the body member or stop 23 is providedwith a pivot pin 28 with a hook element 36 pivoted thereon whichprevents the fishing line from moving transversely out from the slot 30without restricting relative movement between the fishing line 32 andthe float device. When cast, the float, which is frictionally secured tothe line, sinks under the influence of the weight of a sinker 33 at theend of the fishing line. The movable body 24 is forced toward the stop22 because of the air trapped within and the tube end 27 cooperates withthe stop 22 to prevent the air from exiting.

Due to the weight of the hook and sinker and the buoyant nature of thefloat, the line and the float move relative to each other after thecast, with the hook moving downwardly to the bottom and the float movingupwardly toward the water surface. Friction between the line 32 and thefloat device and the tractive force of the sinkers acting thereonmaintain the line taut between the float and the hook. Once the floatreaches the surface and the body 24 has come sufficiently above thewater surface that its floating capacity is in equilibrium with itsweight, the stop 22 is lifted off the end of the tube 27 because of thefloating capacity of the stop or body member 23 which forces the guide20 upwardly. Once the tube end 27 and stop 22 separate, the air from thehollow movable body member 24 escapes and the body member then sinkstoward the stop 23. This causes the fishing line to be pinched betweenthe movable body member 24 and the stop 23. If it is desired to move thehook 34 off of the bottom, the fishing line is pulled upwardly. Thispull or tractive force causes the body member 24 to move away from thestop 23 whereupon the fishing line can slide through the slot 30. Whenthe tractive force or upward pull is ceased, the body member 24 fallsback toward the stop and thereby clamps the fishing line against thestop 23.

When a greater clamping force on the fishing line is desired, a ringmagnet 35 can be placed within the body member 24 and hook element 36secured on the upper surface of the stop 23 is also magnetic.Preferably, the magnetic hook element 36 on the stop 23 is movable aboutthe pin 28 and in theform of the hook whereby the magnet can alsofunction to close the slot 30 to such an extend that the fishing line 32cannot be pulled transversely from the slot.

The opening and closing of the valve formed by the stop 22 and tube end27 can be adjusted due to the axial adjustment of the tube with respectto the body member 24. Thus, the amount of air which leaves the bodymember 24 after the valve formed by the end of the tube 27 and the stop22 is opened can be correspondingly adjusted together with the floatingcapacity of the body member 24. This adjustment determines the positionof the float with respect to the water surface and the sensitiveness ofthe float.

It is important that even during the relative movement of the fishingline with respect to the float device that there is a frictional forceacting therebetween. This causes the float device to be pulled under thewater surface when cast due to the weight of the sinker and will keepthe fishing line taut between the hook and the float device during theupward travel of the float to the surface of the water. In theembodiment of FIG. 1, friction between the line and the float isachieved by restricting the size of the hole 12 and orienting thelongitudinal axis of the hole at a particular position with respect tothe longitudinal axis of the float. For instance, in the embodimentshown in FIG. 1 the longitudinal axis of the hole 12 forms an angle of90 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the float device.

The embodiment of the invention in FIG. 2 illustrates a connectingelement 31 which is generally preferable when it is desirable to varythe diameter size of the fishing line. The connecting means 31 isadapted to regulate the extent of friction exerted on the fishing line.The connecting means 31 includes a cylindrical disc 37 which is attachedby means of a spindle 38 in a U- shaped recess at the lower end of theguide 20. The disc 37 is rotatable about the spindle 38 and has a bore39 therethrough perpendicular to the spindle 38. When the float isattached to the fishing line, the latter is passed through the bore 39.By turning the disc 37 and thus changing the orientation of the borewith respect to the longitudinal axis of the float, the resistance dueto friction between the float and the fishing line can be accuratelyadjusted to any desired degree.

Preferably, at least one of the two stops 22 and 23 is slidably mountedon the guide member 20 for adjustment thereon. Thus, the time whichpasses between the release of the air from body member 24 and the momentwhich the fishing line is clamped between the body 24 and the stop 23can be varied.

It will be evident that there are other possible con-' structionsavailable to obtain a float which meets the principles and therequirements of the present invention. Instead of clamping elements withmagnets it is for instance also possible to employ elements with amechanical activity or combinations of the two. It will also be clearthat the float described by means of FIG. 2 may also be constructedwithout a non-adjustable floating capacity. In this case body 24 has afixed floating capacity of its own. A different type of float is thusobtained from what is represented by FIG. 1.

In any case the invention procures a float which meets all requirementsmade. The float can be adjusted for heavy, light and very light and forbottom or half-water fishing and with the float having the antennaabove, just on or just below the water surface. This was hitherto notpossible with a single float.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I donot wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my inventionis of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A buoyant float device for attachment to a fishing line having a hookthereon positioned with respect to the weighted free end thereof,comprising:

a guide member and a body member interconnected for relative movementtherebetween;

means on the float for slidably attaching the float to the fishing line,said attaching means being positioned on the float so that the lineextends between said guide member and said body member and when tautextends in a direction to separate said guide member and said bodymember;

clamping means for bringing said guide member and said body membertogether to fix the line therebetween;

a pair of stops on said guide member, said body member movable betweensaid stops with said lower stop and said body member providing the meansfor fixing the line extending therebetween, said clamping meansincluding clamping elements on the lower side of said body member and onsaid lower stop, at least one of said clamping elements being magneticwhereby when the tension in the line is reduced as a result of theweighted free end reaching the waterbed and the float reaching thesurface the line is held with the hook thereon at a predeterminedlocation with respect to the waterbed and whereby when the tension inthe line is increased as a result of a tractive force being applied tothe other end thereof the line is released for adjusting the hooklocation.

2. A buoyant float device for attachment to a fishing line having a hookthereon positioned with respect to the weighted free end thereof,comprising:

a guide member and a body member interconnected for relative movementtherebetween, said guide member being a hollow oblong member and saidbody member moves within said guide member substantially along itslongitudinal axis;

means on the float for slidably attaching the float to the fishing line,said attaching means being positioned on the float so that the lineextends between said guide member and said body member and when tautextends in a direction to separate said guide member and said bodymember; and

clamping means cooperating with said guide member and said body memberfor bringing said guide member and said body member together to fix theline therebetween whereby when the tension in the line is reduced as aresult of the weighted free end reaching the waterbed and the floatreaching the surface the line is held with the hook thereon at apredetermined location with respect to the waterbed and whereby when thetension in the line is increased as a result of a tractive force beingapplied to the other end thereof the line is released for adjusting thehook location.

3. A buoyant float device for attachment to a fishing line having a hookthereon positioned with respect to the weighted free end thereof,comprising:

a guide member and a body member interconnected for relative movementtherebetween, said body member being positioned concentrically aboutsaid guide member for movement thereon, said body member being hollowand open at its underside and being provided with valve means at itsupper end;

means on the float for slidably attaching the float to the fishing line,said attaching means being positioned on the float so that the lineextends between said guide member and said body member and when tautextends in a direction to separate said guide member and 'saidy bodymember; and

clamping means cooperating with said guide member and said body memberfor bringing said guide member and said body member together to fix theline therebetween whereby when the tension in the line is reduced as aresult of the weighted free end reaching the waterbed and the floatreaching the surface the line is held with the hook thereon at apredetermined location with respect to the waterbed and whereby when thetension in the line is increased as a result of a tractive force beingapplied to the other end thereof the line is released for adjusting thehook location.

4. The float device of claim 3, wherein said means attaching said linewith the float exerts friction therebetween, said attaching means beingoperably joined with said guide member, said valve means being adaptedto close at least temporarily in response to the frictional forceexerted on said guide member when the weighted free end of the linemoves toward the waterbed.

5. The float device of claim 4, wherein said means for attaching thefloat and line is adjustable to vary the friction between said line andfloat.

6. The float device of claim 3,- wherein said guide member is providedwith a pair of stops with said body member being movable therebetween,said upper stop cooperating with said valve means during the closingthereof.

7. The float device of claim 6, wherein said lower stop comprises abuoyant body.

8. The float device of claim 6, wherein at least one of said stops isadjustable.

means includes a hollow tube having a valve element on the upper endthereof and slidable lengthwise within the upper end of said bodymember.

1. A buoyant float device for attachment to a fishing line having a hookthereon positioned with respect to the weighted free end thereof,comprising: a guide member and a body member interconnected for relativemovement therebetween; means on the float for slidably attaching thefloat to the fishing line, said attaching means being positioned on thefloat so that the line extends between said guide member and said bodymember and when taut extends in a direction to separate said guidemember and said body member; clamping means for bringing said guidemember and said body member together to fix the line therebetween; apair of stops on said guide member, said body member movable betweensaid stops with said lower stop and said body member providing the meansfor fixing the line extending therebetween, said clamping meansincluding clamping elements on the lower side of said body member and onsaid lower stop, at least one of said clamping elements being magneticwhereby when the tension in the line is reduced as a result of theweighted free end reaching the waterbed and the float reaching thesurface the line is held with the hook thereon at a predeterminedlocation with respect to the waterbed and whereby when the tension inthe line is increased as a result of a tractive force being applied tothe other end thereof the line is released for adjusting the hooklocation.
 2. A buoyant float device for attachment to a fishing linehaving a hook thereon positioned with respect to the weighted free endthereof, comprising: a guide member and a body member interconnected forrelative movement therebetween, said guide member being a hollow oblongmember and said body member moves within said guide member substantiallyalong its longitudinal axis; means on the float for slidably attachingthe float to the fishing line, said attaching means being positioned onthe float so that the line extends between said guide member and saidbody member and when taut extends in a direction to separate said guidemember and said body member; and clamping means cooperating with saidguide member and said body member for bringing said guide member andsaid body member together to fix the line therebetween whereby when thetension in the line is reduced as a result of the weighted free endreaching the waterbed and the float reaching the surface the line isheld with the hook thereon at a predetermined location with respect tothe waterbed and whereby when the tension in the line is increased as aresult of a tractive force being applied to the other end thereof theline is released for adjusting the hook location.
 3. A buoyant floatdevice for attachment to a fishing line having a hook thereon positionedwith respect to the weighted free end thereof, comprising: a guidemember and a body member interconnected for relative movementtherebetween, said body member being positioned concentrically aboutsaid guide member for movement thereon, said body member being hollowand open at its underside and being provided with valve means at itsupper end; means on the float for slidably attaching the float to thefishing line, said attaching means being positioned on the float so thatthe line extends between said guide member and said body member and whentaut extends in a direction to separate said guide member and saidy bodymember; and clamping means cooperating with said guide member and saidbody member for bringing said guide member and said body member togetherto fix the line therebetween whereby when the tension in the line isreduced as a result of the weighted free end reaching the waterbed andthe float reaching the surface the line is held with the hook thereon ata predetermined location with respect to the waterbed and whereby whenthe tension in the line is increased as a result of a tractive forcebeing applied to the other end thereof the line is released foradjusting the hook location.
 4. The float device of claim 3, whereinsaid means attaching said line with the float exerts frictiontherebetween, said attaching means being operably joined with said guidemember, said valve means being adapted to close at least temporarily inresponse to the frictional force exerted on said guide member when theweighted free end of the line moves toward the waterbed.
 5. The floatdevice of claim 4, wherein said means for attaching the float and lineis adjustable to vary the friction between said line and float.
 6. Thefloat device of claim 3, wherein said guide member is provided with apair of stops with said body member being movable therebetween, saidupper stop cooperating with said valve means during the closing thereof.7. The float device of claim 6, wherein said lower stop comprises abuoyant body.
 8. The float device of claim 6, wherein at least one ofsaid stops is adjustable.
 9. The float device of claim 6, wherein thelower end of said body member and said lower stop are provided withcooperating clamping elements with at least one of said clampingelements being magnetic.
 10. The float device of claim 3, wherein saidvalve means includes a hollow tube having a valve element on the upperend thereof and slidable lengthwise within the upper end of said bodymember.